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National
cyclist and artist Michael Phillips is questioned by a student
of Holy Name Convent, Port-of-Spain, on Wednesday. Photo:
Lester Forde
By
Indarjit Seuraj
A powerful and inspiring speech by former national cyclist
Michael Phillips brought students of the Holy Name Convent,
Port-of-Spain, to their feet as he urged them to use negativity
in order to grow.
It was a day filled with laughter, as Phillips entertained
the all-female student body on Wednesday with a highly-interactive
presentation, as part of the Guardian in Education schools
tour, giving priceless advice and motivation as he recounted
how he attained his success.
“Your
brain is like a muscle. Resistance helps build it,”
he said.
He was referring to the negativity and obstacles which impede
in accomplishing one’s dreams.
He recalled when his grandmother told him as a little boy:
“Apart from your constitutional rights, no one owes
you anything.”
Based on his grandmother’s words, he said, he learned
to prepare himself for any disappointment.
“But
each disappointment did not make me bitter,” he said.
Phillips’ discourse to the students began with the
four house flags being carried through the assembly by members
of the Sixth Form.
Phillips, the public relations officer for Beacon Insurance
company, told students to ignore the word “difficult,”
if anything is to be accomplished.
Principal Ellen Leepow had earlier introduced the artist/cyclist
and stated that his wife was a past pupil of the school,
which made the assembly cheered heartily.
“He
has chosen one of ours as his wife,” Leepow said.
“He
has a good sense of judgment, does he not?” she asked,
to which the assembly answered: “Yes!”
Phillips urged students to follow their dreams, particularly
those interested in art.
The assembly watched in awe and gave hearty applause when
Phillips unveiled one of his latest pieces of art, Finding
Sanctuary.
The painting featured an ocelot in serenity in the forest.
He would like the art to have a greater impact on young
people, which was why he chose to return to nature with
his paintings, he said.
He recalled when he had just started painting and he swapped
the pieces to travel abroad.
“For
accommodation, gas...whatever,” he said.
Asked if he had to choose between cycling or art as careers,
he replied: “I can’t choose. I’ll have to
flip a coin on that one.
“But
if I had to think about it financially, art is something
I can do when I’m old and earn a living, but I can
cycle when I’m old, to keep fit only.”
He said when he was younger, he was able to balance all
aspects of his life—school work, art and cycling.
“The
balance can be achieved,” he advised students.
Phillips told students not to allow others to put them down.
“Do
not let anyone tell you because you have this or don’t
have this you’re better or worse than anybody else.”
He chided students who were intent on brand shopping in
order to be somebody else.
He also advised the audience to spend their parents’
money wisely, as it is they who make the ultimate sacrifice.
“Buy
because you need a tool to do something, buy because it
will be valuable in the future, but do not buy something
because it will make you feel like something,” he said
as he encouraged students to create their own brand names.
As he ended, Leepow challenged students to take his message
and act on it.
“You
have heard him speak and now he’s throwing out the
challenge to you,” Leepow said.
She then led the assembly in serenading Phillips with the
song This Little Light of Mine.
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